S4 - S6 Information Evening

Options in the Senior Phase

Thursday 16th February 2017

Welcome Mr. N. Morrison

Career Ready Mrs. H. Crawford

Youth Achievement Mrs. S. Crombie

Curriculum and options Mr. C. Cowie

Aria Kennedy S6

Daisy Smith S6

Our Region Now?

Nigg Bay

Making the Right Choice

• School

• College

• Employment

• Foundation/Modern Apprenticeships

• Gap year/Volunteering

Support for Pupils:

Leaving Portlethen Academy?

• Official leaving date is 31st May

• Not 16 before 30th September, leave Christmas of S5

• Must be in full-time education until then, can request Exceptional Circumstances to study at college

• Leavers’ information and support available from Guidance teachers

How to Choose

• Attainment and ability – what am I good at?

• Interests – what do I enjoy?

• Range and number of courses

• What career might I follow after school? Think long term, be informed and realistic

• What do I need for my next steps?

• Find out what you are signing up for

• Current information and advice

• Entrance requirements

S4 - S6 Options

Look at the Senior Phase as a 1, 2 or 3 year package

• Breadth

• Depth

• Relevance

Course Information

• School website

• Teachers

• SQA website

• NESCOL, University and Employer websites

• www.planitplus.net

• Skills Development Scotland

http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/

http://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/

• Careers Fair, Thursday 23rd February

What Employers/Further Study Want

• The best grades possible for the learner• Positive attitude• Communication skills• Work experience• Willing to take on a challenge• Confidence • Relevant preparation for and knowledge of the

industry• Team fit (ready/able to work in a team)

Adding Value, Adding Experience

• Profiles and CVs

• Work Experience

• Volunteering in school and out

• House Responsibilities

• Career Ready

https://careerready.org.uk/

• Develop new skills

• Juggle a busy life!

Expectations of Senior Students

• Learn and Improve

• Get involved

• Think of the consequences

• Look to the future

• Remember it is competive

Workload and Time Management

• Homework/study

• Part time employment

• Hobbies/free time

• Learning to drive

• Adding Value/Achievements

ExpeditionMorocco

October

2018

@Portlethen Academy

Acknowledging the skills developed

�Preparation

�Planning

� Fundraising

�Group work

� Trip experience

You need to know…..

• They need to be at school for the next 2 years

• They need to choose YAA both years in their subject choice forms

• Trip during school holidays

�Level of responsibility –Leading

�8 challenges –7 challenges plus presentation

�120 + hours

�Peer moderated

�Portfolio building

Accreditation

Level Minimum

Age

Minimum

Hours

Minimum

Responsibility

SCQF

Level

SCQF

Credit

Points

Bronze 14 60 Taking Part 4 7

Silver 14 90 Assisting 5 11

Gold 14 120 Leading 6 14

Platinum 16 135Peer

Education7 16

SCQF Level 6 - same level as a Higher

SCQF Credit Points – amount of points the universities give to you for the qualification

What does the give me?

• An alternative classroom experience

• Flexibility in their learning

• An experience of peer support and moderation

• Secure confidence in own abilities, strengths and skills

• The tools they need to talk about themselves in applications and interviews

• A qualification levelled with a Higher

What the course will look like

2017/18

• Pre summer June

planning challenges, understanding the

course, bonding as a group, beginning

work on first challenge

• Post summer August/April

Working on Challenge 1-5

2018/19

• Pre summer June

final fundraiser activities, challenge 5

• Post summer August/September

Preparation for trip, challenge 6

• September/October

group prep work, YAA folio paperwork

• October

14 day trip to Morocco including challenge 7

• November

challenge 8 ‘Presentation’

• December

finalise YAA folio work

• Early 2019

final moderation ‘Standardisation and Internal Verification’

Find out more…

• Attend 1 hour parent and student information evening

at Portlethen Academy on Tuesday the 21st of

February at 7 pm

• Visit www.outlookexpeditions.com and click on the

‘Parents and Students’ bubble to register attendance

or request more information .

S4 - S6 Options

• S4 – 6 subjects: English, Maths plus 4 others at N3/N4/N5

• S5 – 5 subjects at N3/N4/N5/H plus Enrichment

• S6 – minimum 4 subjects at N3/N4/N5/H/AH plus Enrichment and Citizenship activities. Possible involvement in YASS programme

• ‘Aiming Higher‘ period for all S5/S6

Course Progression

S4 Ewan achieves 3 N5 and 3 N4 passes.

S5 He adds a further 3 N5s and 2 Highers, as well as taking on some House responsibilities as a prefect.

Ewan goes to College at the end of S5 to study an HND in Electrical Engineering.

Following this, Ewan has the opportunity to pursue paid employment or go to University to study Beng (Hons) Electronic and Electrical Engineering through the 2+2 programme.Alternatively at the end of S5, Ewan could have looked for a Modern Apprenticeship or looked for paid employment.

Possible Portfolio and Pathway

S4 Studied and passed 6 N5 courses as well as taking on House responsibilities as a prefect.

S5 Passed 4 Highers whilst continuing as a prefect. Also achieved John Muir Award in Leadership.

Currently a school captain whilst studying 4 Highers. Looking to upgrade 3 of them from last year in order to study Primary teaching at University.

Possible Portfolio and PathwayAria Kennedy S6

S4 Studied and passed 6 N5 courses. Continued to be involved in the pupil council and represented the school in a local youth forum.

S5 Studied and achieved 5 Higher passes. Continued to be involved with the pupil council and helped support the schools’ behaviour / rewards policy.

Currently a House Captain whilst studying 2 Advanced Highers and 1 Higher as well as working on performance units in Advanced Higher Music. Has recently had interviews for Medical related courses at two Universities.

Possible Portfolio and PathwayDaisy Smith S6

NES College options booklet available on the school website

http://www.portlethenacademy.aberdeenshire.sch.uk/pa_nescollege_s456_1718.pdf

Foundation Apprenticeships

Information Evening on Tuesday 7th March at Aberdeen City Campus from 6.15pm – 8pm

To confirm attendance at this event pupils, their parents and school staff should register using this link:

https://foundationapprenticeshipsaberdeen.eventbrite.co.uk

Youth Achievement

• Two year course

• Maximum of 16 places available

• Counts as a course choice

• Completion of the two year course is equivalent to achieving a Higher

• http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/youth-achievement-awards.htm

What Happens Next?

• Options forms issued Tuesday 7th February

• Options discussed with Guidance teacher/subject teachers.

• Pupils attend Careers Fair on Thursday 23rd February

• S4 Reports issued week beginning 20th February

• S5 Reports issued week beginning 27th February

• Forms returned by Friday 3rd March

• NES College Applications close Friday 23rd March

• New timetable begins in June